A post about smartphones isn’t complete without a discussion on whether these devices are appropriate in Scouting.

For Scout leaders, smartphones can be an important tool in tracking advancement, researching questions on the spot, and keeping Scouts safe from weather hazards. For Scouts, I think the best approach is “everything in moderation.”

While smartphones can be a distraction from the great outdoors, they can also be a modern-day Swiss Army knife — a multipurpose tool to enhance a young person’s Scouting experience. Facebook friend Michael Kunz agrees. He wrote: “Mobile will become an accepted practice in Scouting. Prepare now for it.”

In fact, next summer’s national Scout jamboree will again embrace the use of smartphones by Scouts. Boys and girls who bring their connected devices will have an enhanced jamboree experience that allows them to find their way around the site, learn more about jamboree activities, and connect with other participants.

Description: “A collection of 175 classic campfire favorites. Great for use at Campfires, Campouts, Troop Meetings, Pack Meetings or whenever you have the desire to sing. Songs can be accessed by a type, such as Patriotic Songs, by an alphabetical index or by their tune.”

Description: “Whatever you can think of to cook on a campfire, this app has 10 ways to cook it. And they aren’t just made up either….these are campers’ favorite recipes from all over the country, tried and true, cooked and eaten. With over 700+ recipes conveniently listed by category, by time, and by keyword search, you can literally go on 100’s of campouts and hike’s without eating the same thing twice.”

Description: “Using your eTrailToEagle account, you can use this application to manage rank and merit badge information for all of your Scouts. You also have quick and easy access to your troop address book to quickly contact anyone in the troop.”

Description: “EveryTrail is the best way to share trips, connect with other travelers and find great new things to do. Plot your trip, photos and videos right on the map and upload it to EveryTrail.com, Facebook and Twitter.”

Description: “Accidents happen. The official American Red Cross First Aid app puts expert advice for everyday emergencies in your hand. Get the app and be prepared for what life brings. With videos, interactive quizzes and simple step-by-step advice it’s never been easier to know first aid.”

Description: “Groundspeak’s Geocaching Application provides real-time, direct access to Geocaching.com’s database of worldwide geocaches, as well as many other features designed to provide you with a lifetime of outdoor geocaching adventure anywhere in the world.”

Description: “Developed by researchers from Columbia University, the University of Maryland, and the Smithsonian Institution. This free mobile app uses visual recognition software to help identify tree species from photographs of their leaves.”

Description: “Munzee is a real world scavenger hunt game where items are found in the real world and captured using your smartphone. You then level up and gain rank based on your score. Points are obtained by capturing other people’s munzees or when your deployed munzees are captured by someone else. Munzee is based off of the fundamentals of geocaching and adds another layer of fun to the hunt.”

Description: ”Enables you to identify the stars, planets, galaxies, constellations and even satellites you can see above. Just stand anywhere and hold your device up to the sky and The Night Sky will display the names of the stars, planets and other objects you are able to see.”

Description: “Helps you track the advancement of Cub Scouts, including requirements for Tiger, Bobcat, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos badges, and the various electives and activity badges for each year of the Cub Scout program.”

Description: “For over twenty years, the SAS Survival Guide has been the definitive guide to surviving any situation, anywhere in the world. Now, for the first time ever, the million-copy bestselling book has been reinvented for the iPhone.”

Description: “Based on a centuries-old navigation instrument, Theodolite is a cool multi-function augmented reality app for the iPhone that serves as a compass, GPS, map, zoom camera (photo & movie), rangefinder, and two-axis inclinometer. Theodolite overlays real time information about position, altitude, bearing, and horizontal/vertical inclination on the iPhone’s live camera image, like an electronic viewfinder.”

Description: “This selection of United States Army bugle calls allows people to play from 18 classic bugle calls. Great for Soldiers, family members, ROTC Cadets, Boy Scouts, band members and anyone who wants a soundboard of Army bugle calls.”

Description: “Accurate and relevant weather information whenever weather matters to you. With 200+ meteorologists and, our ultra-local TruPoint(sm) forecasting technology, we provide you with the weather tools you need to plan your day, week, or even the next hour.”